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Labor Market Information - State of Connecticut Labor Situation
  Labor Situation - State of Connecticut Last Updated: January 23, 2012
Connecticut Nonfarm Employment...see more Unemployment Rates...see more New UI Claims...see more Consumer Price Index...see more
Unemployment Rate falls to 8.2 percent, Jobs grow by 600 to 1,627,800 current Connecticut Labor Situation PDF
WETHERSFIELD, January 23, 2012 - Connecticut’s job market returned to a path of modest recovery in December after a brief stall in November. Connecticut’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm job count reached 1,627,800, a monthly increase of 600 over a revised November decline of 1,400. Connecticut has grown 9,000 jobs over a year ago or 0.6%. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued its recent trend of declines falling two-tenths of a point to 8.2%.

“After a disappointing performance in the third quarter of 2011, it appears that Connecticut’s labor market has returned to a modest pace towards recovery,” noted Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research. Our declining unemployment rate is particularly good news. However, forecasts for job growth in 2012 remain cautious and uncertain with most analysts predicting levels much like what we saw this past year.”

Labor Force: Connecticut’s unemployment rate continues to descend, dipping another two-tenths in December 2011 to 8.2%. Since July 2011, when the unemployment rate was 9.1%, the jobless rate and the number of unemployed have fallen appreciably for five consecutive months. Employment levels from the labor force data/household survey have also shown robust increases (at the 95% confidence level) since August 2011. What makes this unemployment rate decline even more amenable is the fact that the labor force (adults looking, able, and willing to work) has been increasing over the same period. Connecticut’s labor force is still down over the year, but is up over 20,800 (1.1%) since bottoming in August 2011.

Connecticut’s seasonally adjusted labor force numbered 1,891,000 in December 2011, up 3,400 over the month (0.2%) but down 5,700 (-0.3%) from a year earlier, with 16,900 fewer unemployed people (-9.9%) than last year.

Unemployment: Based on the household survey, the estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, was down 4,700 from November to 154,500, and the unemployment rate decreased two-tenths to 8.2 percent, which is below the national rate of 8.5 percent. Last December, Connecticut’s unemployment rate was 9.0 percent. The Connecticut unemployment rate has not been this low since May 2009. Average weekly initial unemployment claims in December 2011 for first-time filers decreased over the month by 3,548 (-41.4%) to 5,024 and were up just 52 claims from this time last year, or 1.0%. Last month’s spike in claims is likely attributable to Storm Alfred and was temporary as the seasonally adjusted average weekly initial claims level for December is now below October’s level (5,112).

Nonfarm Jobs: December’s total nonfarm job estimate grew slightly by 600 positions or less than 0.05%. Since December 2010, the state has added 9,000 jobs (0.6%) for a current employment level of 1,627,800. The November Connecticut jobs estimate of a 100 increase was revised lower by 1,500 to a 1,400 decline (-0.1%). The state has now created 10,000 jobs or a 0.6% employment growth since January 2011. Most of this gain has come since August (10,300). Four of Connecticut’s ten employment supersectors had gains, while five had declines, and one sector was unchanged last month.

Labor Market Information - Connecticut, Employment Sectors & United States Nonfarm Employment
Year to Year Month to Month Previous Three Months
Dec 2011 Dec 2010 Change Rate % Dec 2011 Nov 2011 Change Rate % Oct 2011 Sep 2011 Aug 2011
Graph Follow link below for more charts & data State of Connecticut Employment
go to Connecticut nonfarm employment data table Connecticut Nonfarm Employment 1,627,800 1,618,800 9,000 0.6% 1,627,800 1,627,200 600 0.0% 1,628,600 1,621,100 1,617,500
Graph Follow links below for more charts & data Goods Producing Industries
go to Construction sector data table Construction 49,100 48,600 500 1.0% 49,100 49,100 0 0.0% 50,600 48,700 50,200
go to Manufacturing sector data table Manufacturing 165,800 168,100 -2,300 -1.4% 165,800 167,300 -1,500 -0.9% 167,200 167,300 167,900
Graph Follow links below for more charts & data Service Providing Industries
go to Transportation and Public Utilities sector data table Transportation & Public Utilities 295,200 289,500 5,700 2.0% 295,200 292,700 2,500 0.9% 293,100 293,400 293,100
go to Information sector data table Information 32,000 31,600 400 1.3% 32,000 31,900 100 0.3% 32,000 31,500 31,700
go to Financial Activities sector data table Financial Activities 131,200 135,500 -4,300 -3.2% 131,200 132,100 -900 -0.7% 132,700 133,300 132,700
go to Professional and Business Services sector data table Professional & Business Services 195,500 192,200 3,300 1.7% 195,500 195,800 -300 -0.2% 195,600 192,600 193,100
go to Educational and Health Services sector data table Educational & Health Services 317,300 312,200 5,100 1.6% 317,300 316,800 500 0.2% 316,900 316,400 316,100
go to Leisure and Hospitality sector data table Leisure & Hospitality 138,800 137,200 1,600 1.2% 138,800 138,000 800 0.6% 137,000 135,600 134,000
go to Other Services sector data table Other Services 60,200 60,700 -500 -0.8% 60,200 60,600 -400 -0.7% 60,500 60,500 59,800
go to Government sector data table Government 242,200 242,600 -400 -0.2% 242,200 242,300 -100 -0.0% 242,400 241,800 238,300
Graph Follow link below for more charts & data United States Employment
go to United States nonfarm employment data table United States Nonfarm Employment 131,900,000 130,260,000 1,640,000 1.3% 131,900,000 131,700,000 200,000 0.2% 131,600,000 131,488,000 131,278,000
Recession recovery: Connecticut has now recovered 34,300, or 28.8% of the 119,200 nonfarm jobs lost in the March 2008 to January 2010 recession (-7.0% of total nonfarm payrolls). Connecticut’s nonfarm job level is just below the peak of the recovery in October 2011 (1,628,600 vs. 1,627,800). Private sector employment is currently 1,385,600 as compared to a peak of 1,460,100 in March 2008. Private sector employment bottomed out at 1,348,600 in January, 2010 down 111,500 jobs. Since that time we have regained 37,000 or 33.2% of the private sector jobs lost over the recession. Private employment’s high water mark in this recovery was also October 2011 at 1,386,200 jobs.

The trade, transportation and utilities sector led all major sector growth in December, adding 2,500 jobs, or 0.9%. The retail trade component in this supersector provided the largest job gain (1,900, 1.1%) last month, boding well for holiday sales in the state. The transportation segment added personnel (+800, 1.7%), perhaps exhibiting positive holiday activity from e-commerce. Meanwhile, the wholesale trade part slightly declined (-200, -0.3%) last month. This large supersector has contributed the most sector job growth since last December (+5,700, 2.0%).

Leisure and hospitality (800, 0.6%) was the next largest job sector advancer, with the smaller arts, entertainment, and recreation component adding 1,000 positions (4.1%), while the larger accommodation and food service portion eased down 200 jobs or -0.2%. Leisure and hospitality was up 1,600 (1.2%) over the year.

Education and health services contributed positively this month, adding 500 jobs (0.2%). The education portion was slightly lower (-100, -0.2%) consistent with the end of the college semester, but healthcare and social assistance continued to add jobs (600, 0.2%). This sector is the second largest job contributing grouping since December 2010 (5,100, 1.6%).

The information sector had a marginal increase of 100 or 0.3%. This sector is higher by 400 (1.3%) since last December. All private sector industries added 700 positions in December and have increased 9,400 (0.7%) in employment since December 2010, and have added 10,700 (0.8%) since the beginning of 2011.

The manufacturing sector lost 1,500 jobs (-0.9%) in December, the largest major sector decline last month. The durable goods portion declined the most (-1,300, -1.0%) and non-durable goods contributed another 200 (-0.5%) to the overall monthly decline. Production industries are now lower since last December (-2,300, -1.4%).

The financial activities category finished 2011 lower by 900 (-0.7%) jobs. Both finance and insurance (-800, -0.7%) and real estate (-100, -0.5%) figured in on the job loss. Financial activities industries are the biggest declining major sector over the year (-4,300, -3.2%).

Other services eliminated 400 jobs (-0.7%) in December and are lower by 500 (-0.8%) since December 2010. This sector had been bolstered since Storm Irene with activity in repair and maintenance services, but fell off this month as storm remediation tapered off.

The professional and business services sector lost 300 positions (-0.2%) last month but is a strong job contributor over the year (3,300, 1.7%). The monthly loss in this sector was mainly attributed to a 900 (-1.1%) decline in professional, scientific, and technical services. This loss was partially offset by a 600 (0.7%) gain from administrative and support services (which includes employment services).

All government employment fell slightly (-100, or less than 0.05%) last month. Both federal and local government were unchanged in December, while state government dropped by (-100, -0.2%). Compared to last December, the government sector is lower by 400 (-0.2%, note: Native American Indian government and gaming employment are tallied in local government).

Construction employment was unchanged in December at 49,100. Building sectors are higher since December 2010 (500, 1.0%), but have come down since July when the sector was estimated at 51,100 jobs.

 Labor Force / Residents Employed / Residents Unemployed Top
Connecticut’s seasonally adjusted labor force numbered 1,891,000 in December 2011, up 3,400 over the month (0.2%) but down 5,700 (-0.3%) from a year earlier, with 16,900 fewer unemployed people (-9.9%) than last year.
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Labor
Force
Resident
Emp.
Resident
Unemp.
Labor
Force
Resident
Emp.
Resident
Unemp.
Labor
Force
Resident
Emp.
Resident
Unemp.
Labor
Force
Resident
Emp.
Resident
Unemp.
Labor
Force
Resident
Emp.
Resident
Unemp.
Labor
Force
Resident
Emp.
Resident
Unemp.
Labor
Force
Resident
Emp.
Resident
Unemp.
Jan   1,795.9 1,709.3 86.6 1,816.7 1,733.8 83.0 1,843.6 1,762.9 80.8 1,860.4 1,768.5 91.9 1,881.5 1,747.9 133.6 1,892.4 1,719.5 172.9 1,896.6 1,725.6 170.9
Feb   1,798.3 1,710.7 87.6 1,816.6 1,736.1 80.5 1,843.3 1,762.9 80.4 1,861.1 1,768.9 92.2 1,884.0 1,743.5 140.5 1,896.1 1,722.1 174.0 1,896.8 1,725.4 171.4
Mar   1,800.5 1,712.1 88.4 1,816.9 1,738.1 78.9 1,842.3 1,762.0 80.3 1,861.8 1,768.7 93.1 1,886.7 1,739.9 146.7 1,898.5 1,724.3 174.2 1,898.2 1,726.2 172.0
Apr   1,802.3 1,713.4 88.9 1,817.9 1,739.5 78.5 1,841.2 1,760.7 80.5 1,862.9 1,767.7 95.2 1,888.9 1,737.1 151.8 1,899.4 1,725.5 173.9 1,898.6 1,726.2 172.4
May   1,803.9 1,714.8 89.1 1,819.6 1,740.5 79.2 1,840.5 1,759.4 81.1 1,864.6 1,766.2 98.4 1,890.3 1,734.5 155.9 1,898.9 1,725.5 173.4 1,894.1 1,721.5 172.6
Jun   1,805.7 1,716.6 89.1 1,822.1 1,741.7 80.4 1,840.7 1,758.5 82.2 1,867.0 1,764.7 102.3 1,890.8 1,731.7 159.0 1,897.8 1,724.7 173.1 1,886.2 1,714.5 171.6
Jul   1,807.9 1,718.7 89.2 1,825.5 1,743.8 81.6 1,842.2 1,758.5 83.6 1,869.7 1,763.7 106.0 1,890.0 1,728.7 161.3 1,896.8 1,723.7 173.1 1,876.0 1,705.9 170.0
Aug   1,810.3 1,721.1 89.3 1,829.7 1,747.2 82.4 1,844.9 1,759.6 85.3 1,872.3 1,763.0 109.3 1,888.5 1,725.5 163.0 1,896.6 1,723.4 173.2 1,870.2 1,701.2 169.0
Sep   1,812.8 1,723.6 89.2 1,834.1 1,751.4 82.7 1,848.7 1,761.6 87.1 1,874.6 1,762.2 112.4 1,887.0 1,722.4 164.6 1,896.7 1,723.7 173.0 1,874.3 1,708.4 166.1
Oct   1,814.9 1,726.2 88.7 1,838.2 1,755.6 82.6 1,852.7 1,763.8 88.9 1,876.4 1,760.3 116.0 1,886.1 1,719.7 166.4 1,896.8 1,724.3 172.5 1,881.0 1,717.1 163.9
Nov   1,816.2 1,728.8 87.5 1,841.3 1,759.3 82.0 1,856.3 1,765.8 90.5 1,877.8 1,757.1 120.7 1,886.7 1,718.1 168.6 1,896.7 1,724.8 172.0 1,887.6 1,728.3 159.2
Dec   1,816.7 1,731.1 85.5 1,843.1 1,761.7 81.4 1,858.9 1,767.4 91.4 1,879.4 1,752.7 126.8 1,888.9 1,718.0 170.9 1,896.6 1,725.2 171.4 1,891.0 1,736.5 154.5
 State of Connecticut Unemployment Rate vs. United States Unemployment Rate Top
Unemployment: Based on the household survey, the estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, was down 4,700 from November to 154,500, and the unemployment rate decreased two-tenths to 8.2 percent, which is below the national rate of 8.5 percent. Last December, Connecticut’s unemployment rate was 9.0 percent. The Connecticut unemployment rate has not been this low since May 2009. Average weekly initial unemployment claims in December 2011 for first-time filers decreased over the month by 3,548 (-41.4%) to 5,024 and were up just 52 claims from this time last year, or 1.0%. Last month’s spike in claims is likely attributable to Storm Alfred and was temporary as the seasonally adjusted average weekly initial claims level for December is now below October’s level (5,112).
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Connecticut U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons Connecticut U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons Connecticut U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons Connecticut U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons Connecticut U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons Connecticut U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons Connecticut U.S. Year-to-Year comparisons
Jan   4.8 5.3 0.5 4.6 4.7 0.1 4.4 4.6 0.2 4.9 5.0 0.1 7.1 7.8 0.7 9.1 9.7 0.6 9.0 9.0 0.0
Feb   4.9 5.4 0.5 4.4 4.8 0.4 4.4 4.5 0.1 5.0 4.8 -0.2 7.5 8.2 0.7 9.2 9.7 0.5 9.0 8.9 -0.1
Mar   4.9 5.2 0.3 4.3 4.7 0.4 4.4 4.4 0.0 5.0 5.1 0.1 7.8 8.6 0.8 9.2 9.7 0.5 9.1 8.8 -0.3
Apr   4.9 5.2 0.3 4.3 4.7 0.4 4.4 4.5 0.1 5.1 4.9 -0.2 8.0 8.9 0.9 9.2 9.8 0.6 9.1 9.0 -0.1
May   4.9 5.1 0.2 4.3 4.6 0.3 4.4 4.4 0.0 5.3 5.4 0.1 8.2 9.4 1.2 9.1 9.6 0.5 9.1 9.1 0.0
Jun   4.9 5.0 0.1 4.4 4.6 0.2 4.5 4.6 0.1 5.5 5.6 0.1 8.4 9.5 1.1 9.1 9.5 0.4 9.1 9.2 0.1
Jul   4.9 5.0 0.1 4.5 4.7 0.2 4.5 4.7 0.2 5.7 5.8 0.1 8.5 9.5 1.0 9.1 9.5 0.4 9.1 9.1 0.0
Aug   4.9 4.9 0.0 4.5 4.7 0.2 4.6 4.6 0.0 5.8 6.1 0.3 8.6 9.7 1.1 9.1 9.6 0.5 9.0 9.1 0.1
Sep   4.9 5.0 0.1 4.5 4.5 0.0 4.7 4.7 0.0 6.0 6.2 0.2 8.7 9.8 1.1 9.1 9.6 0.5 8.9 9.1 0.2
Oct   4.9 5.0 0.1 4.5 4.4 -0.1 4.8 4.7 -0.1 6.2 6.6 0.4 8.8 10.1 1.3 9.1 9.7 0.6 8.7 9.0 0.3
Nov   4.8 5.0 0.2 4.5 4.5 0.0 4.9 4.7 -0.2 6.4 6.8 0.4 8.9 9.9 1.0 9.1 9.8 0.7 8.4 8.7 0.3
Dec   4.7 4.9 0.2 4.4 4.4 0.0 4.9 5.0 0.1 6.7 7.3 0.6 9.0 9.9 0.9 9.0 9.4 0.4 8.2 8.5 0.3
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